[Launch Alert] Launch Today

Sat, 16 Aug 2003 06:23:09 -0700

            ASTRONOMY/SPACE ALERT FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

			            Brian Webb
		         Ventura County, California
		        E-mail: [email protected]
	       Web Site: http://home.earthlink.net/~kd6nrp

	  Reaching more than 2,200 e-mail addresses worldwide

				           2003 August 16 (Saturday) 05:12 PDT
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		            MISSILE LAUNCH TODAY

A prototype booster that could one day be used with the U.S. missile
defense system is scheduled for launch from Vandenberg AFB this
morning. Orbital Science's vehicle is set for launch at 11:00, the
start of a six-hour launch window.

The booster will leave Vandenberg, fly a ballistic trajectory, and
impact in the Pacific.

The vehicle is one of two competing designs being tested for eventual
use with the Ground-Based Interceptor, a vehicle designed to kill
long-range strategic missiles as they pass through space following
launch.